Dishwashing machine and article racks therefor



June 14, 1955 L. A. JAMES ET AL 2,710,617

DISHWASHING MACHINE AND ARTICLE RACKS THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet l FiledNov. 1, 1951 INVENTOR. Lew/5A James and BY Duane A. James.

A TTORNE Y3.

June 14, 1955 A. JAMES ETAL 2,710,617

DISHWASHING MACHINE AND ARTICLE RACKS THEREFOR I Filed Nov. 1, 1951 3Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR.

\ Lewis. A. James and BY Duane A. James.

A TTORNEYZS'.

J 1955 L. A. JAMES ET AL DISHWASHING MACHINE AND ARTICLE RACKS THEREFORFiled Nov. 1 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Lew/s A.James and BY DuaneA. James.

AT TORNE Y5.

United States Patent DISHWASHWG MACHINE AND ARTICLE RACKS THEREFOR LewisA. James and Duane A. James, Independence, Kans., assignors to James,Incorporated, Independence, Kans., a corporation of Kansas ApplicationNovember 1, 1951, Serial No. 254,413

6 Claims. (Cl. 134183) This invention relates to dishwashing machinesand article racks therefor, and more particularly to a dishwasher rackstructure and arrangement for supporting articles in a dishwasherwherein washing liquid is directed and distributed on the articles instreams by an impeller or other source of liquid distribution. Morespecifically this invention relates to a rack structure and arrangementin a dishwasher having an impeller or liquid supply extending centrallyand longitudinally of the washing compartment in such a manner as todeliver the liquid in a stream that sweeps laterally across saiddishwashing compartment, whereby the articles therein receive impulsesof concentrated washing action.

The objects of the invention are to provide a dishwashing machine with arack arrangement for supporting articles for effective washing liquidcirculation; to provide a dishwasher having a liquid impeller providinga stream of liquid which sweeps the interior of the washing compartmentwith a wire rack arrangement for supporting articles to be washed withthe soiled sides toward the source of the directed streams of washingliquid to facilitate the washing liquid reaching all soiled parts of allarticles; to provide a rack adapted to receive and support variousshaped articles so that they will drain freely of liquid and dryproperly after the last rinse; to provide a dishwashing machine with a'flat article rack in the lower portion thereof and extending along eachside of the impeller with article spacing members at acute angles to theimpeller whereby plates, saucers, bowls, lids and the like are supportedon edge at an angle to the impeller with the soiled side angled towardthe source of the stream of washing liquid; to pro-' vide removableupper racks for facilitating loading and unloading of the lower rack; toprovide a lower rack which supports flat plates and like articles onedge so washing liquid from the impeller can ascend between sucharticles and wash articles on the upper racks; to provide a removableupper rack longitudinally of the washing compartment and adjacent thetop thereof with hooks for supporting deep articles, such as glasses,cups and the like, in inverted position; to provide such center, upperrack with a trough for supportingodd pieces; to provide side racks whichare removable or foldable back against the side walls of the washingcompartment; to provide a silverware rack or container which is looseand adapted to rest on the flat, lower or side racks; and to provide adishwashing machine with a rack structure and assembly therefor which iseconomical to manufacture, that facilitates the disposition of articlesto be washed therein in a manner for receiving concentrated washingaction from the liquid delivered by the impeller, and that is elficientin operation for washing and rinsing dishes and the like.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, wehave provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view of a portion of a dishwasher andrack arrangement therein.

I nal center of the washing compartment.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the dishwasher on the line22, Fig. 1, illustrating the arrangement of the lower article racktherein.

Fig. 3 is a partial perspective view of a side rack and supporttherefor, the side rack being shown folded against a side wall of thedishwasher.

Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view of the center, upper rack and theend support therefor.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the lower or plate rack.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a side rack.

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the silverware rack.

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the upper, center rack.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

- 1 designates a portion of a dishwashing machine ha ing a washingcompartment 2 formed by side walls 3 and 4, end walls 5 and 6, bottomwall 7, and a cover 8. The bottom wall 7 is preferably semicylindrical,with the axis thereof longitudinally of the washing compartment wherebysaid bottom forms a sump for suitable washing or rinsing liquid. Animpeller assembly 9 is mounted in the washing compartment and suitablydriven to deliver washing or rinse liquid at considerable velocity ontoarticles to be washed, which are supported on a rack arrangement in thewashing compartment as later described.

The impeller assembly preferably extends longitudinally of the washingcompartment and consists of a housing 10 fixed to the end wall 5 andhaving an inlet opening 11 below the liquid level in the washingcompartment and an elongated slot 12 forming a discharge openingpositioned above the liquid level and extending substantially the fulllength of the washing compartment. The slot 12 in the illustratedstructure is offset from the longitudi- An impeller 13 is rotatablymounted in the housing 10 and suitably driven to move liquid withconsiderable velocity through the slot 12, said liquid being directedagainst the baffle or deflector 14 spaced vertically from the slot 12and extending parallel thereto. The bafile 14 is suitably rotated at aconsiderably slower speed than the impeller 13 about an axis extendinglongitudinally of the washing compartment whereby the liquid dischargedfrom the slot 12 in the form of a sheet is deflected by the bafiieduring rotation thereof to sweep the washing compartment, providing aconcentrated washing action that is progressively moved back and forthacross the washing compartment to impinge on articles to be washedsupported on the rack arrangement.

The rack arrangement preferably consists of a lower rack 15 forsupporting relatively flat articles, such as dinner plates, meatplatters, pie pans, saucers, pan lids, sauce dishes, medium to shallowbowls, bread plates, and the like, along each side of the impeller. Sideracks 16 are arranged on each of the side walls 3 and 4 above the lowerrack, and a central, upper rack 17 is arranged longitudinally of thewashing compartment in the upper portion thereof. A silverware rack 18is adapted to rest on the lower rack 15 or a side rack 16. All of theracks are removably mounted in the washing compartment so they can beremoved to facilitate cleaning of the racks and inner surfaces of thecompartment. The rack 15 is preferably formed of wire and has arectangular frame 19 slightly shorter than the longitudinal length ofthe washing compartment and of suitable width whereby the side bars orwires 20 and 21 will engage the side walls 3 and 4 when the rack is indesired position.

, are secured thereto. The spacing of the rods 22 and 23 is preferablyapproximately the width of the baflle 14 and said rods arranged onopposite sides of a vertical plane extending through the axis ofrotation of the baffie 14 which is preferably spaced rearwardly from thelongitudinal center of the washing compartment. The ends of the rods 22and 23 are turned downwardly and are connected at their lower ends as at26, whereby said ends form lugs 27 adapted to engage suitable rigidportions of the impeller housing or other support in the washingcompartment to adequately support the central portion of the rack 15.The lug 27 adjacent the bar 24 engages the inner surface of a flange 28of the impeller housing 10 at the end wall 5, and to prevent movement ofthe rack a lug 29, in the shape of a U-sha ed member 30, extends beyondthe bar and engages the inner surface of the end wall 6. The legs 31 ofthe U-shaped lug 29 are preferably secured alongside the rods 22 and 23.

A purality of dish spacing wires 32 extend generally transversely of therack 15, said wires 32 being substantially equally spaced along thelength of the rack. Each of the spacing wires 32 has intermediateportions 33 which extend transversely across the rods 22 and 23. Saidportions 33 rest on the rods and are suitably secured thereto as bywelding. Each of the spacing wires 32 has portions 34 and 35 extendingfrom the ends of the intermediate portion 33 to the side bars 20 and 21respectively with the ends of said portions extending under the sidebars and suitably secured thereto as by welding. The portions 34 and 35are arranged in angular relation to the side bars and/or the impellerhousing 10. In the structure illustrated the intermediate portions 33 ofthe spacing wires are approximately the same length as the diameter ofthe flange 23 whereby the ends toward the side bar 20 are substantiallyvertically aligned with the adjacent side of the impeller housing 10 andthe other-ends extend a short distance beyond the rod 23. The angularlyarranged portions of the spacing wires preferably have depending ordownwardly extending portions 36 and 37 to aid in supporting the dishes.In the illustrated structure each of the spacing wires 32 at the ends ofthe intermediate portions toward the side bar 20 are turned downwardlyto form vertical portions 38 which terminate just above the inletopening 11 of the impeller housing and are turned outwardly to providesubstantially horizontal portions 39. The horizontal portions 39 are ofsuch length that the outer ends thereof engage the wall of the washingcompartment. said wires being bent upwardly as at 40 forming verticalportions 41 which terminate in bends 42 providing horizontal portions 43that extend to the side bar 29. The engagement of the bend portions 40with the side walls of the washing compartment aids in supporting therack in position.

A rod 44 extends longitudinally of the rack and rests on the horizontalportions 39 and is secured thereto as by welding adjacent the bends 40,the rod 44 having its ends turned upwardly forming vertical portions 45,the upper ends of which are secured to the end rods 24 and 2! wherebythe rod 44 adds strength to the structure ano aids in maintaining thespacing of the spacing wires 32. The depending portions 37 in thespacing wires on the opposite side of the rack are arrangedsubstantially in the same manner as the depending portions 36 but areshorter in length and in depth. A rod 46 is secured on the dependingportions 37 in the same manner as the rod 44 is secured on the dependingportions 36, said rod 46 having upwardly turned ends providing verticalportions 47, the upper ends of which are secured to the end rods 24 and25. The arrangement of the spacing rods and their depending portions andthe relative positions of the longitudinal rods 22 and 23 are such thatlarge plates and the like are preferably placed between the rod 22 andside bar 20 and smaller plates and the like are placed between the rod23 and side bar 21 as later described.

The side racks 16 are each formed of wire or the like and have aplurality of spaced, longitudinal Wires 48 and a plurality of spaced,transverse wires 49 suitably secured together as by welding to make acoarse mesh. A longitudinal edge is turned upwardly as at 50, wherebythe rack is substantially L-shaped with Wires substantially defining theperiphery of the rack as illustrated in Fig. 6. Each of the side racks3.6 is slightly less in length than the inside length of the washingcompartment whereby the racks may be inserted therein and the ends ofthe racks rest on supports 51 suitably secured to the end walls 5 and 6.The supports 51 are preferably angular in crosssectiou. each havingflange 52 extending outwardly from the end walls and sloping downwardlytoward the adjacent side wall whereby the racks 16 will be supportedthereon at suitable angles, whereby articles resting on the rack willtend to move toward the sides of the washing compartment and not falloff of the free ends of the racks. Articles to be washed are preferablyplaced upside down on the racks 16 whereby the streams of washing liquidfrom the impeller unit deliver the full washing action on the soiledparts of the articles. When the racks 16 are emptied, they may be foldedupwardly, as illustrated Fig. 3, or can be removed to provide additionalaccess to articles on the lower rack 15.

The upper, center rack 17 includes laterally spaced upper rods or wires54 and 55 and lower rods or wires 56 and 57 extending longitudinally ofthe washing compartment, the spacing of the lower rods being less thanthe spacing of the upper rods. A plurality of transverse members 58 isspaced along the upper and lower rods. these transverse members eachpreferably being formed of wire substantially in a U-shape with a barportion 59 extending under and secured to the lower rods 56 and 57, thebar 59 terminating in upwardly turned, diverging legs 60, the upper endsof which are secured to the upper rods 54 and 55. The ends of the rods56 and 57 are provided with upwardly extending end members 61 terminating in ends 62 that are secured to the adjacent transverse member58. End rods 63 extend across and are secured at the ends of the upperrods 54 and 55. the opposite ends of the rods 63 extending beyond therods 54 and 55 and being turned rear ardlv as at with the free endssecured to the respective rods to provide lateral loops or extensions 65adapted to rest on supporting l s 66 of brackets 67 which are secured tothe end walls of the washing compartment in such a manner that the lu s66 extend from the walls and receive the troughlike ortion of the rack17 therebetween. One of the brackets 67 is provided with a horizontal.fiat lug 68 snaced upwardly from the upper edges of the lugs 66 wherebythe end rods 63 resting on the upper edges of the lu s 66 may be movedunder the flat lug 68. Ohviously the opposite end of the rack 17 must belifted and the rack moved longitudinally to disengage the end rod 63from the flat lug 68 for removing the rack from the washing compartment.

Spaced along the sides of the rack 17 are hook members 69. Said hookmembers are of different sizes and shapes for receiving glasses. cupsand other deep articles. Each of the hook members generally consists ofan inverted U-shaped portion 70. the downwardly extending legs 71thereof being turned upwardly as at 72 to form upwardly extendingmembers 73 which are secured to the upper and lower side rods of therack.

The silverware rack 18 preferably includes a perforated sheet metalbottom 74 with upwardly turned flanges 5 on the front and side edgesthereof. A sheet metal back 76 extends upwardly from the rear edge ofthe bottom, providing a closed back to the rack. the back 76 havingflanges 77 on the side edges thereof. A Wire mesh 78 having verticalwires 79 and horizontal wires 80 is cut and bent to fit within theflanges and 77, the wires being suitably secured to said flanges wherebythe rack has an open top and relatively large openings in the front andside faces. The silverware rack 18 is placed as desired on the lowerrack 15 or side racks 16 with the front or sides facing the impellerwhereby the washing action Will be delivered to silverware in the rack.

In using a rack structure and arrangement such as described, flatarticles such as dinner plates, meat platters and the like are placed inthe lower rack 15. It is to be noted that said lower rack is divided bythe rods 22 and 23 ofiset from the middle with the larger portion on theinlet side of the impeller housing. The larger side is designed forlarger, flat articles such as dinner plates and the smaller side is forsmaller, flat pieces such as saucers and the like. The portions 34 and35 of the spacing wires 32 are at an angle from the impeller housing tothe sides of the washing compartment and flat articles such plates areplaced edgewise between the spacing wires with the soiled sides of theplates angled toward the impeller whereby the baflle 14 will direct thewashing liquid against the soiled faces and impart the full washingaction thereon. Extremely large plates such as platters and the like maybe given a greater angle by arranging same wherein they cross one ormore of the spacing wires. It is preferable to group like kinds ofdishes, for example by making a row of dinner plates of one size and agroup of shallow or medium deep bowls, followed by smaller dishes. Eachof the plates and the like being placed on edge at an angle to theimpeller permits the washing fluid from the impeller to strike thesoiled portion of the plates and the like and then ascend between saidplates and wash articles on the upper racks. If, after placing the flatplates and the like on the lower rack 15, there is suificient room forthe rack 13, the silverware is placed in said rack and the rack suitablyarranged on the lower rack with the open front toward the impeller.After the lower rack has been loaded the side racks may be foldeddownwardly onto the supports 51 and the upper, center rack l7 placed inthe compartment with the ends thereof supported on the lug 66. Deepbowls, pans, cups and the like are then placed on the side racks ininverted condition. The hooks 71 are designed to hold glasses, cups andthe like, which are placed on the hooks upside down. 3? he troughthrough the center of the rack is adapted to receive odd pieces such askitchen knives, spatulas, jar lids, etc.

Each of the racks is removable from the washing compartment, however,such removal is usually not necessary except for cleaning, as adequateaccess to the lower rack 15 is provided when the side racks 60 arefolded upwardly. Therefore, the rack arrangement is such that all of thedishes and the like are supported in spaced relation to each other andin such relationship to the impeller that the washing action of theliquid from the impeller is directed against the soiled faces of thearticles to be washed. Also the rack arrangement is such that it isaccessible both for loading and unloading the racks.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A dishwashingmachine comprising, a receptacle having sides, ends and a bottom forminga sump for containing a quantity of washing liquid, an elongate impellerunit fixed in the receptacle and extending longitudinally of the sumpfor moving liquid from said sump and discharging said liquid in anupwardly directed fiat stream, means for deflecting said stream ofliquid to cause same to sweep the receptacle at the sides and above theimpeller unit, a dish supporting rack removably mounted in thereceptacle, said rack having side bars engaging the sides of thereceptacle, end bars extending transversely of the receptacle andconnected to the ends of the side bars, said end and side bars beingsubstantially coplanar, spaced bars in the rack extending longitudinallyof the receptacle from one end bar to the other and arrangedsubstantially above the deflecting means of the impeller, a plurality ofarticle spacing wires secured to said spaced longitudinal bars andextending transversely thereof to the side bars of the rack, U-shapeddepressed portions in said spacing wires intermediate the ends thereof,and wires extending longitudinally of the rack and secured to thedepressed portions'intermediate the ends of said depressed portions forcooperating with the spaced longitudinal bars and spacing wires insupporting articles on edge with the soiled faces toward the impellerand at an acute angle thereto for receiving the washing action of theliquid discharged thereby.

2. A dishwashing machine comprising, a receptacle having sides, ends anda bottom forming a sump-for containing a quantity of washing liquid, anelongate impeller unit fixed in the receptacle and extendinglongitudinally of the sump for moving liquid from said sump anddischarging said liquid in an upwardly directed flat stream, means fordeflecting said stream of liquid to cause same to sweep the receptacleat the sides and above the impeller unit, a wire rack removably mountedin the receptacle, a plurality of spacing wires in the rack extendingfrom above the impeller to the sides of.

the receptacle for supporting flat articles in spaced relation on edgewith the soiled faces toward the impeller and at an acute angle theretofor receiving the washing action of the liquid discharged thereby,brackets fixed on the ends of the receptacle adjacent the sides thereofand sloping downwardly toward the adjacent side, wire side racks havingends removably supported on saidbrackets, and upturned edges on the sideracks adjacent the sides of the receptacle, said side racks beingadapted to support articles in inverted position wherebyxthe innersoiled surfaces of said articles are faced toward the impeller andreceive washing action of liquid ascending between the spaced articleson the first-named rack.

3. A dishwashing machine comprising, an open top receptacle havingsides, ends and a bottom forming; a sump for containing a quantity ofwashing liquid, a cover closing the open top of the receptacle, anelongate impeller unit fixed-in the receptacle and extending longi-'tudinally of the sump for moving liquid from said sump and dischargingsaid liquid in an upwardly directed flat stream, means for deflectingsaid stream of'liquid to cause same to sweep the receptacle at the sidesand above the impeller unit, a wire rack removably mounted in thereceptacle, a plurality of spacing wires in the rack extending fromabove the impeller to the sides of the receptacle for supporting flatarticles in spaced relation on edge with the soiled faces toward theimpeller and at an acute angle thereto for receiving the washing actionof the liquid discharged thereby, a wire trough-like rack, hook membersspaced along the sides of the troughlike rack, and means on the ends ofthe receptacle adjacent the open top thereof for removably supportingthe trough-like rack therein, said hook members being adapted to supportarticles in inverted position whereby the inner soiled surfaces of saidarticles are faced toward the impeller and receive washing action ofliquid ascending between the spaced articles on the first-named rack.

4. A dishwashing machine comprising, a receptacle having sides, ends anda bottom forming a sump for containing a quantity of washing liquid, anelongate impeller unit fixed in the receptacle and extendinglongitudinally of the sump for moving liquid from said sump anddischarging said liquid in an upwardly directed flat stream, means fordeflecting said stream of liquid to cause same to sweep the receptacleat the sides and above the impeller unit, a dish supporting rackremovably mounted in the receptacle, said rack having side bars engagingthe sides of the receptacle, spaced bars in the rack extendinglongitudinally of the receptacle substantially above the deflectingmeans of the impeller, a plurality of article spacing wires secured tosaid spaced longitudinal bars and extending transversely thereof, saidspacing wires having portions extending to the side bars of the rack atan acute angle to the impeller, depressed portions in the angledportions of said spacing wires intermediate the ends thereof, wiresextending longitudinally of the rack and secured to the depressed portions for cooperating with the spaced longitudinal bars and spacingwires in supporting articles in spaced relation on edge and faced towardthe impeller for receiving the washing action of the liquid dischargedthereby, brackets fixed on the ends of the receptacle adjacent the sidesthereof and sloping downwardly toward the adjacent side, wire side rackshaving ends removably supported on said brackets above said first-namedrack, and upturned edges on the side racks adjacent the sides of thereceptacle, said side racks being adapted to support articles ininverted position whereby the inner soiled surfaces of said articles arefacedtoward the impeller and Washing liquid discharged by the impellerwill ascend between the articles in the first-named rack and impinge onthe articles in the side racks.

5. A dishwashing machine comprising, an open top receptacle havingsides, ends and a bottom forming a sump for containing a quantity ofWashing liquid, a cover closing the open top of the receptacle, anelongate irnpeller unit fixed in the receptacle and extendinglongitudinally of the sump for moving liquid from said sump anddischarging said liquid in an upwardly directed fiat stream, means fordeflecting said stream of liquid to cause same to sweep the receptacleat the sides and above the impeller unit, a dish supporting rackremovably mounted in the receptacle, said rack having side oars engagingthe sides of the receptacle, spaced bars in the rack extendinglongitudinally of the receptacle substantially above the deflectingmeans of the impeller, a plurality of article spacing wires secured tosaid spaced lngitudinal bars and extending transversely thereof, saidspacing wires having portions extending to the side bars of the rack atan acute angle to the impeller, depressed portions in the angledportions of said spacing wires intermediate the ends thereof, wiresextending longitudinally of the rack and secured to the depressedportions for cooperating with the spaced longitudinal bars and spacingwires in supporting articles on edge and faced toward the impeller forreceiving the washing action of the liquid discharged thereby, bracketsfixed on the ends of the receptacle adjacent the sides thereof andsloping downwardly toward the adjacent side, wire side racks having endsremovably supported on said brackets above said first-named rack,upturned edges on the side racks adjacent the sides of the receptacle, awire troughlike rack, hook members spaced along the sides of thetrough-like rack, and means on the ends of the receptacle adjacent theopen top thereof for removably supporting the trough-like rack therein,said hook members and side racks being adapted to support articles ininverted position whereby the inner soiled surfaces of said articles arefaced toward the impeller and washing liquid discharged by the impellerwill ascend between the articles in the first-named rack and impinge onthe articles in the side and trough-like racks.

6. A dishwashing machine comprising, a substantially rectangularreceptacle having an arcuate bottom, means adjacent the arcuate bottomand extending longitudinally thereof for discharging washing liquidupwardly in the receptacle in a stream which sweeps the receptacle, awire rack removably mounted in the receptacle and having a substantiallyrectangular frame of connected side and end wires, spaced wires in therack extending longitudinally thereof substantially above the liquiddischarging means, a plurality of article spacing wires secured to saidspaced longitudinal wires and extending transversely thereof to the sidewires of the rack frame, U-shaped depressed portions in said spacingwires intermediate the ends thereof, and a Wire extending longitudinallyof the rack and secured to the spacing wires in each of the depressedportions adjacent the ends thereof toward the sides of the frame forcooperating with the spaced longitudinal wires and spacing wires insupporting articles on edge with the soiled faces toward the liquiddischarg ing means and at an acute angle thereto for receiving thewashing action of the liquid discharged thereby.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS568,202 Lippard Sept. 22, 1896 1,339,810 Cochran May 11, 1920 1,466,514Smythe Aug. 28, 1923 1,610,782 Homan Dec. 14, 1926 1,682,654 AndrewsAug. 28, 1928 2,284,026 Stockham May 26, 1942 2,317,014 Yochem Apr. 20,1943

